Magazine discharger for pyrotechnic signals



,I June 5 1926.

. 'C- L. PAMI-Us El' L msnm Dls-CHARGER Fon rmovrcmc SIGNALS Fuga Jan. 25, '19m 2 sheets-sheet 1 June s ,1926. v1,588,21151 C. L. PAULUS ET AL rMAGAZINE DISUHARGER FOB SIGNLS iled Jan. 25', 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES I. PAULUS AND 'ROBERT KAUOH, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

MAGAZINE DISCHARGER FOR PYROTECHNIC SIGNALS.

Application led January 25, 1924. Serial No. 688,484.

This invention relates to a pyrotechnic magazine or the like, and has for one of its principal objects the provision of an arrangement for supporting the several pyrotechnic charges safely in position upon an airplane or balloon. l

A further object is the provision in a device of this kind for the selective discharge of the pyrotechnic charges by a single Vfiring member.

A third object is the construction of this firing member so that it has projecting members which prevent the back or upward discharge of the-pyrotechnic charges under all normal circumstances. A protection isa-thus afforded against accidental discharge due to an enemy bullet, etc.

A further' object is the provision of positive locks so that the ring member may be moved accuratelyto the firing position for any one of the charges and maintained inI this position during the firing operation.

Another object is the mounting of the pyrotechnic magazine or frame upon the side of the fuselage of an airplane so that the pyrotechnic device will be shot out angularly downwardly and outwardly.

Further objects will be more fully set forth" in the attached specification land claims, and in the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a sectional View through the device showing the general arrangement of the pyrotechnic cartridge and the associated firing mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a side View corresponding to Fig. 1, one of the containers being broken away to illustrate the structure more fully.

Fig. 3 illustrates a plan view of the same.

Fig. 4 is a detailed sectional View, showing the locking device for maintaining the irmg member in position.

Fig. 5 is a side View of the discharger as mounted in ,the cockpit of an airplane and Fig. 6 is a corresponding end view of theJ 'device shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 1 of the attached drawings shows a pyrotechnic signal or charge 1 contained within a tubular housing 2 which is mounted in the main supporting' frame 3. The frame 3 is provided with four such housings, each of which is joined preferably by .spinning directly to the main frame so as to provide a closed flame-tight joint at these points.

Slots or grooves 4 are provided along the sides of the main frame '3 to position the slider ring member 5 upon the frame. An

operating knob 6 is mounted on the upper end of a tiring pin 7 and this knob is adapted to be struck by the hand of the operator in order to fire a tiring charge of the pyrotechnic device directly below it. The tiring pin 7 is spring pressed upwardly to its normal position by the use of a spring 8 which is backed by a cap 9. The slider 5 is provided with two elongated ears or projections 14 and 15, one at each side of the same so that each of them extends partly over two of the charge-containing housings as shown in Fig. 3. In this position the slider and the projections 14 and 15 prevent any accidental blowing back of the charge into the cockpit, such as might be caused by an enemy bullet. When the slider is moved soy that the tiring knob is directly above one of the pyrotechnic devices as shown in Fig. 2, these projecting arms 14 and 15 extend lfully over the adjacent two pyrotechnic charges.

The slider firing member 5 is adapted to be positioned in the various firing positions by means of four notches 10 cutzin the frame 3 directly opposite to each of the casings. These notches are adapted to receive a pointed plunger 11 actuated by a. flat spring 12 which is mounted upon the slider by means of a rivet 13. Any substantial force ,tending to move the slider 5 laterally will overcome the frictional engagement of the plunger 11 in the notches 10 and then permit a free movement of the slider to any desired position. A. fifth notch (not shown) is provided in the supporting frame 3 midway between the two-inside notches so as to normally maintain the slider at its central position as shown in-Fig. 3. Such an ar- `rangement makes the device entirely safe for carrying the signals in their firing osition as an accidental movement of the ring pin or the discharge of one of the signals through an incendiary bullet will cause no damage to the airplane or to its occupants.

Referring now to Fig. 6, it will be noted that the main supporting frame 3 is mounted upon the vertical side wall of an airplane fuselage by brackets 16 which are formed so as to position the discharger at a. considerable angle. An outer plate 17 is provided to seal the irregular opening which would of necessity be cut in the airplane to install the discharger. In Fig. 5 is more thoroughly shown the general shape of the. mountin bracket 16 which is provided with 'a vertica plate 18 for sealing the irregular opening in the airplane fuselage wall on the inside thereof.

With the pyrotechnic devices mounted so.

as. to discharge outwardly and downwardly, the operator is enabled by glancing down outside of the fuselage, to see the pyrotechnic below him in the air. to be made upon the kind or color of the signal discharge, since the charge ignited by the firing pin is just slightly more than enough to shoot the pyrotechnic device out of the casing. Such a mounting for the angular discharge of the pyrotechnic is also particularly suitable for formation flight as the device discharged from 'anyV one airplane will not interferewith the other airplanes. It will also be noted, especially if reference is made to Fig. 6, that the firing member and firing knob are provided in a more convenient position for ready actuation by the operator.-

1. In combination in a pyrotechnic rack for aircraft, a frame having a plurality of openings for the reception' of pyrotechnic devices, means .supported on said frame to yretain said devices against upward movement, said means being movable to allow the installation of said devices in their positions in said frame.

2. In combination, a pyrotechnic rack, for use in aircraft, comprising a main supporting frame provided withxa plurality of supporting members for the* reception of pyrotechnic devices and a discharger mounted on, said frame so as to move-to various positions to selectively discharge said pyrotechnic devices.

3. In combination a pyrotechnic discharger, comprising a discharge frame with a plurality of discharge openings, and a slidable selective-discharger for the charges in `said openings. j

4. In combination, -a pyrotechnic rack comprising a supporting frame, provided with a plurality of discharge openings, 'a pyrotechnic casing mounted in each of said openings and' means movable to various positions yto normally retain said charges against possible blowing back because of discharge.4 v

5. In combination, a pyrotechnic discharger comprising a discharge Vsupporting frame provided with a plurality of discharge openings, a slidable selective discharger for the charges in said openings and means carried by said slidable dischargerto retain' said charges in position against possible blowing back because of discharge.

This allows a check v 6. In combination, a pyrotechnic discharger comprising a supporting frame provided with a plurality of discharge openings, a slidable selective discharger for the charges in said openings, and spring means for frictionally locking said discharger at a plurality of predetermined points.

7 In combination, a pyrotechnic discharger comprising a discharge frame with a plurality of discharge openings and a slidable selective discharger for the charges in said openings, positioning grooves on said frame, springmeans for said discharger for engagement with said positioning grooves on said frame so as to lock the slidable discharger in predetermined positions.

8. In a pyrotechnic discharger, in combina-tion, means for supporting a series ofv pyrotechnic charges, a movable means for selectively discharging said discharges, and a plurality of projectionson said movable means for normally partly covering all of said pyrotechnic charges. y

9. A. pyrotechnic discharger'comprisingV means for supporting a series of pyrotechnic charges, ai serles of openings 1n said means,

a casing fixed in each opening, a movable means for selectively discharging said charges, a projection lon said movable means partly covering one of said openings, and positioning means to automatically hold said discharger in firing for safety positions with respect to the charges.

10. In combination, a pyrotechnic discharger comprising a supporting frame, a tube vadapted to ,contain a pyrotechnic charge attached to vsaid frame by a frametightv joint and a device operable to tightly cover the upper end of said tube.

11. In combination, in a pyrotechnic discharger, a supporting frame, a plurality of supporting tubular casings attached to said frame by flame-tight joints, a device operable -to selectively tightly cover the upper end of said tubes, and a hand-operated firing pin on said device to selectively fire said charges.

12. A means for ksupporting a plurality of pyrotechnic devices, a cylindrical casing for each device attached to said means and a pyrotechnic discharger, .comprising device'for attaching said means to an aircraft structural wall so that the axes of said cylindrical casings extend angularly downwardly, and a firing member for selectively firing said pyrotechnic devices.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

. CHARLES L. PAULUS.

ROBERT KAUCH. 

